Comprehensive Description

Description

A brown algae with many branched, dorso-ventrally flattened, slightly elliptical thalli, arising from a small stipe and a fibrous holdfast. Fronds up to 25 cm long and 1-3 mm wide, and light to olive brown in colour. Blades quite firm and cartilaginous with a distinct midrib. Tips of fronds with tufts of 'hair'. Specialised structures bearing reproductive organs (receptacles) are formed from extending midrib tissue and are conical or cylindrical and colourless.The tufts at the extremity of the frond are conspicuous and highly characteristic.